Strategic waste management in the agricultural sector for achieving sustainable development goals

The article explores strategic waste management in the agricultural sector aimed at achieving sustainable development goals. The purpose of the study is to outline key directions for waste management at various levels that contribute to the sustainable development of agribusiness enterprises and the industry as a whole. The research employed general scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, a systematic approach, and comparative analysis. The results of the study demonstrate several positive changes in waste management in Ukraine’s agricultural sector in 2023. Specifically, the proportion of agricultural waste recycling increased to 85.03%, marking a significant step towards the industry’s sustainable development. This has reduced ecosystem pressure and improved resource efficiency. Waste incineration dropped to 10.22%, indicating a shift towards environmentally friendly processing methods. At the same time, the share of waste disposal that cannot be recycled or processed rose to 4.74%, reflecting strengthened environmental control measures. The analysis also identified several critical issues in waste management, including legislative gaps, insufficient application of the «polluter pays» principle, low awareness of waste reuse opportunities, and a lack of investor interest. Inadequate agricultural practices further contribute to natural resource degradation. The state waste management strategy focuses on harmonizing national legislation with EU standards, promoting biomass utilization, prohibiting open burning of plant residues, developing rendering technologies, and ensuring the regulated use of compost in soil conservation practices. These measures aim to reduce environmental impact, optimize resource use, and establish an efficient waste management system, fostering the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The practical significance of the study lies in forming a foundation for implementing strategic initiatives to enhance waste management efficiency in Ukraine’s agricultural sector.